That’s why we were so impressed with just one of the comments by Karen Tipsword, the focus of this installment of our Small Business Success Story series. “Sometimes when you’re doing 10 things at once and thinking of 10 more, it can be hard to stop and be in the moment with the customer,” says the co-owner of Persimmon Creek Campground. “Try and make everyone feel special. Even on days when you think you just can’t do it – smile and be welcoming.”

Of course, we are also impressed by the variety of vinyl banners that Karen has sourced from Signs.com, helping ensure that visitors to Persimmon Creek Campground easily find their way to its many attractions!

Tell us about yourself
I’m Karen Tipsword – my husband, Tony, and I own Persimmon Creek Campground, Trout Pond & Gem Mine, which is located just west of Murphy, North Carolina, in the Cherokee National Forest. We both love the outdoors and traveling. I was a schoolteacher for many years, and Tony was in the excavating business. We met 16 years ago and became friends; one year later and lightning struck! We have had so many adventures together, building our businesses and traveling the U.S. in our RV. We live onsite at the campground.

What is one thing most people don’t know about you?
Most people do not know that I have a master’s degree in language. It’s so nice to be able to offer translation services when needed.

What does your company do?
Persimmon Creek Campground, Trout Pond & Gem Mine provides healthy outdoor entertainment for all ages. The campground is open for tents and RVs, with extra-large sites on the creek. We stock rainbow trout in our trout pond, and we lend customers fishing poles, bait, and bucket; we even clean, package, and ice the trout down for them (no license is needed). And our gem mine provides an abundance of sparkling gems and minerals, just waiting for guests to sluice the dirt from them. Both the trout pond and gem mine are open to the public. We also have a catch-and-release pond stocked with bream and bass in the center of the campground for our registered campers.

Where did the idea of your company come from?
As children, we grew up camping with our families, and then we began camping together in the Nantahala Forest of North Carolina. We wanted to work together, and the idea of building a campground grew from that – we opened Persimmon Creek Campground in 2009. From there, it was a matter of asking our guests what they liked to do when visiting the mountains. The answer was always trout fishing and gem mining, so the growth was a natural progression based on pleasing visitors that came to the area.

Beauty & Flavor

What sets you apart from your competition?
We don’t believe we are truly in competition with other campgrounds, trout ponds, or gem mines – maybe that’s what sets us apart. Each business in the area provides different experiences. It really is a matter of what the guest is looking for. We attract guests that are looking for a peaceful, safe, natural, outdoor experience. And we’re very happy to recommend the other businesses to people who aren’t looking for what we provide. The goal is making sure that all who come to Cherokee County leave happy and want to return.

How do you market your business?
Our main method of advertising is by word of mouth, Facebook, our website, and rack cards. We place our rack cards in various locations, including the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce and Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, and in about 300 rental cabins throughout Cherokee and Fannin Counties, and with whitewater companies on the Ocoee and Nantahala Rivers. And we market by using signs from Signs.com on the physical property.

How do you “wow” your customers?
Our customers always tell us how beautiful our grounds are and how well tended; plus, they’re impressed with the cleanliness of our facilities. We also “wow” our customers with our gem mining – the large amount and the size of the gems and minerals in our buckets are always commented on. I try to make sure that we put 3 or 4 times the amount of gems and minerals in our buckets versus other companies in our area. And there’s the beauty – and. ultimately, the flavor of – our rainbow trout. People return to where they’re staying, cook their trout (usually according to our recommendations), and then often share on Facebook how delicious their dinner was!

What are one or two strategies for gaining customers that you have been successful with?
Word of mouth, always! Our service and product guarantee us loyal customers, and they spread the word for us.

How do you compete with competitors that are bigger than you?
I suppose that people would consider KOA Campgrounds to be our biggest competitor, but, again, we don’t consider any business as competition. Although there are similar businesses in the area, no single business offers the variety that we do!

Making Customers Feel Special

What’s one of the biggest challenges you have had with your business – and how did you overcome this?
The weather! Trout are cold-water fish, and don’t survive well in warm waters – we’ve lost a lot of trout in August and September due to heat. People on vacation expect to be able to fish all the time, but trout simply will not bite in the heat. Unfortunately, though, when it comes to weather, we just have to work with what we’re given. An additional challenge was the very negative neighbors we had across the creek when we first built the campground – but we simply waited and bought their property to expand. Much has been a steep learning curve, such as dealing with all the paperwork and taxes, but, whenever an issue has arisen, we have just dealt with it.

If you were to start again, what would you do differently?
Looking back, you can’t second-guess yourself. Given each situation, I think we did what needed to be done at each step of the way. We began as we needed to, and we evolved as needed.

What’s something you would do over and over, and recommend everyone else do?
Service: Even on days when you think you just can’t do it – smile and be welcoming. Sometimes when you’re doing 10 things at once and thinking of 10 more, it can be hard to stop and be in the moment with the customer. Try and make everyone feel special.

Is there a book that you would recommend to our community?
I don’t really have a single book to recommend. I have read quite a few, and glean from each what seems to pertain to our situation. But I don’t think that any one business is a cookie-cutter thing, where you can say, “This book tells me to do such and such at each stage.” You have to read a lot, and sift through them all – and trust your instincts to tell you what will work for you.

Old-fashioned Service and Value

Can you speak to your growth to this point – why do you think it will continue?
Our growth has been steady every year, but this year it has been astronomical. We expected the growth to take off at the trout pond for its fifth year – we could tell from the response in the fourth year that it was going to explode, and it did. We provide genuine old-fashioned service with value. People leave feeling that they have had an experience that was not only fun, but worth what they spent. As a result, not only is our repeat business steady, but we always see new people coming in, who, in turn, become repeat customers.

Where can you be found on the internet?
On our website persimmoncreekcampground.com. Also, on our two Facebook pages:

facebook.com/persimmoncreektroutandgem and

facebook.com/persimmoncreekcampground.

And, you can also find us on Instagram: here and here.

Small Business Success Story: Persimmon Creek Campground

To add to its customer experience, Darden’s Delights has invested in an array of signage products, including: a vinyl banner; window clings; window decals; an aluminum sign; and 1,000 stickers.

Tell us about yourself:
I’m David Glass, the COO of Darden’s Delights, an Atlanta-based pie company. Born north of the Mason-Dixon line, I grew up in Atlanta, and attended the University of Georgia where I studied finance. I handle a majority of the “behind the scenes” duties here: logistics, operations, PR, etc. I’ve been married for almost 20 years to my wife Betsy, who is CEO of our company – as well as CPO, chief pie officer. And we have two daughters, Darden (15 years old) and Anna (13).

What is one thing most people don’t know about you?
After college, I spent seven years in professional baseball as an umpire in the minor leagues, traveling all over the country.

What does your company do?
Darden’s Delights manufactures and distributes various sized pies in the Southeast, and we ship all over the country. We have sweet as well as savory pies, with most of them made from family recipes. Our company tagline is “Pies with Purpose” because we believe that entrepreneurship is the best way to create opportunity, prosperity, and community membership for the disability community.

Where did the idea of your company come from?
It all started during the 2009 Spring Fling at the Peachtree Presbyterian Preschool. We volunteered to bake some pies for the event. Although we were prepared with plenty of delicious fudge pies to go around, we weren’t prepared for the fantastic feedback we got on the pies themselves! We sold out of pies that day, and still had people asking for more. So, we decided to give them exactly what they wanted. Two years later – after getting the recipe just right – we launched Darden’s Delights!

Darden’s Delights is named for our daughter, Darden, who was born with Down syndrome, and the Darden family (Betsy’s mother’s family name). In everything we do, we believe in challenging conventional thought by building a thriving business to enhance opportunities for people with developmental disabilities. We give back a “slice” of our revenue to other organizations and ideas that support our purpose. 

Providing a Unique Pie Experience

What sets you apart from your competition?
Belief in the community and their desire to support a for-profit business model for those with developmental disabilities. Another thing that sets us apart is that a majority of our pies are made from family recipes. We try to be unique with pricing, flavors, variety, and our pie names – Dangerously Delicious Fudge Pie, Get in my Belly Gooey Pie, Perfectly Pumpkinlicious Pie, and others. We started with one flavor and now have approximately 25 pies in different sizes. We focus on making quality products, all handmade.

How do you market your business?
Word of mouth, social media, pop-up markets, and more.

How do you “wow” your customers?
Our product is high quality, and our cost is reasonable, relative to other direct and indirect competitors. Packaging is key – each of our pies is wrapped as an attractive gift with ribbon and an enclosure of what Darden’s Delights is all about in every box. So customers have a very unique experience when buying, gifting, and eating their pies. We do a lot of gift and seasonal shipping and for corporate orders – for clients, sales reps, and others.

What are one or two strategies for gaining customers that you have been successful with?
Email marketing has been successful for us, but we’ve also garnered customers by speaking to groups. A few years ago, I was asked to speak to a Sunday school class on Darden’s Delights. I shared some helpful perspectives from challenging events and the lessons learned, spanning many years – from umpiring to disabilities and how these experiences eventually led to Darden’s Delights. My main focus was on community, opportunity, and approaching adversity as an advantage. This part of the business has grown, and there have been more requests to speak to other groups and audiences. Sharing our message typically leads to entertaining and hopefully helping people, plus more business.

How do you compete with competitors that are bigger than you?
We try to be as unique as possible, and provide a value-added experience. The experience focuses on a shared belief in the community and a desire to support a for-profit business model for those with developmental disabilities. The Darden’s Delights brand is distinctive – from our logo and purpose, to our packaging and our pies. I think the customer experience provides more of a connection to people. We’re a family-run local business and we enjoy interacting with our customers.

Being Patient with Solutions

What is one of the biggest challenges you have had with your business? How did you overcome it?
Crawling up the learning curve in an industry we knew nothing about was challenging – but we figured it all out by being consistent day after day. Another factor in our success was by being fiscally conservative without taking on debt.

If you were to start again, what would you do differently?
Be more defined with the end in mind. We started with an idea and $50, and didn’t really think about what Darden’s Delights would look like in 10 or 20 years. We currently have a growing business that we would like to scale – but it’s difficult to balance increased manufacturing with more sales/branding. Early on, we should have made an effort to focus on one more than the other. This feels like a decision that’s on the horizon for us.

What is the one thing you would do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
Stick with it – don’t try to get around a problem or obstacle. Be patient with solutions.

Is there one book that you might recommend our community should read?
Start with Why, by Simon Sinek. When you find the real reason or belief in your efforts behind a business, it feels a lot less like work. You tend to attract people and customers that believe in what you are doing.

Year-Round Growth

Can you speak to your growth to this point – and why you think it will continue?
It has been almost 10 years since we started. We used to really focus on the last quarter of the year. Now, though, growth is year-round and has good momentum. Every year we grow, and we’ve gained many loyal and repeat customers.

Where can you be found on the internet?

Via our website, at www.dardensdelights.com.

Also, on Facebook, on Instagram, and on Twitter.

Small Business Success Story: Darden’s Delights

The Signs.com tie-in? One of the first actions they took was to install an 18-oz. vinyl banner (244 x 28 inches) above the market’s main entrance doors to draw in and greet their customers.

Tell us about yourself…
We’re Steve and Connie Pejka, and we own the Bremerton Vintage Flea and our accompanying antique shop, “The Dusty Pug” in downtown Bremerton, Washington, just west of Seattle, across the Puget Sound.  

What does your company do?
The Bremerton Vintage Flea is a year-round Saturday indoor vintage flea market. Our “flea family” comprises 25 amazing individual vendors offering anything from antiques, vintage goods, and mid-century modern furnishings to hand-crafted jewelry, local artwork, and blacksmithing. Most weekends, we have an amazing food truck on site and sometimes live music! During the week, we also have a full-time antique/vintage shop – The Dusty Pug – in the front part of the same building.

Where did the idea of your company come from?
We are lovers of everything old and unique. For years, our antique hunting and vintage picking was limited to adding to our own personal collections and furnishing our home, but eventually grew to include buying and selling for extra income. In 2017, we inquired at a local indoor vintage flea market where we’d been customers for several years and asked about getting a booth as a vendor/seller. We quickly fell in love with the market, our fellow vendors, and our customers. Unfortunately, advertising was lacking and there just wasn’t enough customer traffic (and sales) to justify our weekly booth rental fee. So after three months, we made the hard decision to give up our booth at the market and go back to selling online and doing a few antique shows a year.

About four months later, however, we received a call from the owner of that vintage flea market. She told us that she wanted to just focus on her vintage store (which is connected to the flea market), and she couldn’t continue doing both her store and the market. For whatever reason, we were the only people she felt would be up to the task. Bottom line: If we weren’t willing to take this on, the vintage flea market would be no more.

We initially hesitated because we both work full-time jobs and this is not a small market – it’s nearly 8,000 square feet in all! Also, by then, many of the vendors that had been there with us, had left the market for the same reason we did. So we were faced with taking on a struggling vintage flea market with half the vendors missing, and diminished customer traffic – all while working our regular full-time jobs.

Finally, we made the decision: We took the plunge and it was the best decision we ever made. We put a plan in motion to turn the market around with marketing, advertising, a re-brand, and bringing back the amazing vendors who had left. Six months later, we also opened up our own storefront – The Dusty Pug – in the space the original owner had since left after closing her store.

Stirring Up Fond Memories

What sets you apart from your competition?
Our amazing flea family – our vendors! The atmosphere and feeling of community inside our market is like no other. With 25 individual vendors, our selection is always diverse and ever-changing. Customers never walk into the Bremerton Vintage Flea and see the same type of items, booth after booth.

How do you go about marketing your business?
The very first thing was our huge 20-foot-wide sign from Signs.com that we placed above our main entrance doors. We also advertise on and maintain a very active social-media presence on Facebook, as well as Instagram.

How do you “wow” your customers?
We keep things fun, and we offer our customers an awesome vintage treasure-hunting experience every Saturday. The prices inside our market are probably our biggest “wow” factor. We are the “secret place” many other shops and stores come to do their picking. Our vendors are amazing pickers and re-purposing masters – they pass their low costs on to the customers.

What are one or two strategies for gaining customers that you have been successful with?
Creating a marketing “theme” and staying with it. Our signage and advertising theme is based off of 1950s advertising designs, which helps it remain easily identifiable and interesting. Another important practice is maintaining an active social-media presence – posting throughout the week showcasing the huge selection of items that will be available on Flea Day (Saturday).

How do you compete with competitors that are bigger than you?
We keep things different and unique. Most shops/stores in the area model their inventory after the latest trends and fill their shelves/booths with the latest popular things found all over Pinterest. Our items, though, are truly vintage, antique, and/or handmade. Most customers don’t want yet another whitewashed painted doodad that will be “out of style” in a year or two – they want to find that original vintage item that stirs up fond memories from years gone by. We offer that.

Community, Social-Media, and More

What’s one of the biggest challenges you’ve had with your business – and how did you overcome it?
Our biggest challenge has been time. As we said earlier, this business wasn’t a planned one. We both still work our regular full-time jobs. Owning and operating an 8,000-square-foot retail space is very time consuming in your “spare time.”

If you were to start again, what would you do differently?
The fact that we took this surprise venture on with essentially no plan on even doing so (while also both working our regular full time jobs) and making it successful in such a short amount of time. We would not have done anything different from what we did: Our main focus from day one was advertising and marketing the business.

What is the one thing you would do over and over, and recommend that every business do?
Become an active part of your local community and maintain a very active social-media presence. So many customers have found us and traveled several counties away to visit because they’ve seen our Facebook postings.

Becoming a Weekend Destination

Can you speak to your growth to this point – why do you think it will continue?
When we took ownership of the vintage flea market, it was failing. More than half of the vendors had left, customers had stopped shopping (due to the lack of vendors), and – despite the market being in that same location for several years – advertising and marketing were non-existent and locals weren’t even aware the market was there.

Our first step was to re-brand the market by changing the name and begin a heavy advertising/marketing campaign. The results were exponential and we quickly saw an immediate increase in customer traffic, which brought in more vendors wanting to sell – which brought in more customers to shop, and so on and so on. Now, we’re a weekend destination for a large number of customers who regularly travel in from several counties away. We just keep growing and getting busier!

What is one thing most people don’t know about you?
I would say the one thing most people don’t know is that we do all of this – own and operate our antique store and vintage flea market – in our “spare time” while both holding down our regular full-time jobs. Oh, and we had absolutely no idea what we were doing when we started all this, since we’ve never owned any store. Anywhere. Ever.

Where can you be found on the internet?
On the Bremerton Vintage Flea website at www.bremertonvintageflea.com, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/bremertonvintageflea/, and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/bremertonvintageflea/.

Also on The Dusty Pug website, at www.thedustypug.com, which can also be found on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/thedustypug/, and on Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thedustypug/.

Small Business Success Story: Bremerton Vintage Flea

In order to help promote her photographic services and products at community art fairs and other events, Jen purchased a 60 x 20-inch vinyl banner from Signs.com, as well as various counter cards for use at her booth.

Tell us about yourself
Hi there! I’m Jen Frase, the owner of Jen Frase Photography. I live and work in the San Francisco Bay area. I have 12-year-old twins, a dog who likes to terrorize my neighborhood, and a saint of a husband. I have an MBA from UC Davis and an MFA in Photography from the Academy of Art University. Yes, that’s way too many advanced degrees, but man do I love school. I also love dogs, Adam Levine, pizza, and watching crappy reality TV. I hate squirrels, flying, and people who chew with their mouths open.

What does your company do?
I’m a photographer who focuses on the very unique bond between dogs and their humans. I offer commissioned photography sessions and I also sell greeting cards and prints.

Where did the idea of your company come from?
In 2017, we got a puppy who changed our world. I hadn’t owned a dog since I was a kid, so I had forgotten just how much they mean to you. He became part of our family and we love him to death. I know many dog owners who feel the same way.

Around this same time, I was in a bit of a photography rut, shooting things that weren’t inspiring me. It dawned on me that photographing dogs is something I would truly love. After a lot of research, I realized there’s a bit of a hole in this market – there are lots of dog photographers out there, but very few who focus on the bond humans have with their dogs, with natural, lifestyle images. So, I decided Jen Frase Photography would focus solely on this. And it’s kind of awesome.

What is one thing most people don’t know about you?
I’m a total professional in my work and think great customer service is critical – but I’m also a super smart ass and pretty laid back during my photography sessions. My personality comes through on Instagram, and my branding and photography reflect who I am – but I still think people assume I’m more serious than I am because I’m over 40, write professional emails, and run my own business. Ha.

Focusing on the Bond We Share

What sets you apart from your competition?
I think my work itself – my photographs – sets me apart from the competition. There are so many dog photographers out there whose work I find a little cheesy with lots of props, dogs dressed in costumes, etc. I certainly think there’s a market for that, but my work simply tries to focus on the amazing bond that we share with our dogs. My style is light and bright and natural.

How do you market your business?
I stay active on Instagram and try to blog consistently. I’m involved in charity work, such as local auctions for schools or animal rescues. I also get out in the community when I can – setting up a booth at local art festivals or street fairs, for example. Word of mouth is huge too!

How do you “wow” your customers?
I offer amazing customer service – it’s something I pride myself on. I only take on a limited number of commissioned photography sessions per month, so I’m not too busy to give each client my total dedication. I answer emails immediately, I listen to what they want, I shoot the session with patience and as much time as we need, and I edit slowly and carefully – I never rush. To me, there’s nothing more important than being easy to work with, being kind, and offering great customer service.

What are one or two strategies for gaining customers that you have been successful with?
Word of mouth is super important, although that’s not exactly a “strategy.” I always ask my clients to share my name and their images if they’d like to.

How do you compete with competitors that are bigger than you in your industry?
I don’t! I just focus on my work and my customer service. I feel that if I offer a great product with great service, I will have enough clients to keep me profitable and happy. I don’t need to be the biggest and best photographer out there. I just want to do good work I care about, offer a great product, and have clients who appreciate my style, and enough of them to keep making money. I don’t need the world!

The Passion and the Service

What is one of the biggest challenges you have had with your business? How did you overcome it?
Covid-19! I didn’t shoot for three months, which is a long time for a small business. But I kept active – I worked on charity partnerships, I kept up on posting to Instagram and blogging, I launched a small greeting-card line with my photography. And I wrote a monthly newsletter, keeping clients up to speed on me, my business, and my life! I thought it was important for people to know I didn’t disappear, that I was still working, and that I looked forward to shooting again soon.

If you were to start again, what would you do differently?
I launched a photography business 10 years ago and photographed families, commercial work, some weddings, and even headshots. I was trying to be jack of all trades. I should have spent more time learning what really drives me and fulfills me, rather than just trying to work. This comes with age too, though. Now that I’m over 40 and have spent more than 10 years as a professional photographer, I know myself and my work better. I know not to take jobs just to make money because my passion isn’t there and it shows in my work. I now only shoot dogs with their humans, and my work feels more genuine and real than it ever has because I feel so strongly about the dog/human bond and illustrating that for my clients.

What is the one thing you would do over and over – and recommend everyone else do?
Provide amazing customer service. I don’t care how talented you are at whatever you do – I won’t hire you if I can’t get you to call me back or you don’t answer questions or your policies aren’t clear, etc. Be a professional, do good work, be kind, and provide amazing service.

Being True to Who You Are

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read? Why?
I loved Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative, by Austin Kleon. As a creative, we all feel this real pressure to create the most original, groundbreaking work in the world, and the truth is that all great art work is inspired by (not copied from) work that has come before it. There are more lessons than that in the book, too – he also reminds you to be true to who you are, which is so important in creative work.

Can you speak to your growth to this point and why you think it will continue?
I’ve grown slowly but steadily, and I strongly believe that if I create good work and provide great service – and stay busy and involved – I will be successful and continue to grow.

Where can you be found on the internet?

Online at www.jenfrase.com

On Instagram at @jenfrasephoto

Small Business Success Story: Jen Frase Photography

Banners can benefit from having an edge as well. An edge finish – aka hem – will provide your banner with increased durability and a more pleasing appearance, whether the banner is fabric, mesh, or vinyl.

Here, in this edition of “Signage 101,” we’ll take a look at the basics of edges for banners: the tools used to hem/edge, how we tackle banner edging here at Signs.com, other banner options (including no edge at all), and we’ll finish up this primer with some notes on grommets and pole pockets.

Sewn Edge for Fabric & Mesh Banners

If it’s a fabric or mesh banner you’re creating, a sewn – aka “stitched” – edge or hem is the way to go. The stitching reinforces the edges of the banner to add to its robustness while also generating a clean, professional aesthetic.

It’s worth emphasizing here just how much a banner’s durability can benefit from the addition of a good edge. The edge gives a supporting structure to the banner – and, so, more strength – enabling it to better withstand any challenging conditions. Yes, vinyl will, by its very nature, hold up better than fabric in stressful environments, but you’d be surprised how much a fabric banner will benefit from a skillfully done edge. Plus, a sewn edge will typically last the lifespan of the banner itself.

Keep in mind that sewing a banner intended for commercial use requires some “industrial-strength” tools and materials – well beyond the needle and thread your mother probably used when darning your favorite childhood sweater or injured teddy bear. Let’s take a look at some of these.

The primary tool to produce a stitched edge: the sewing machine. As noted above, however, this is a brawnier version of the home or craft version you’ll find at your local Walmart. Industrial sewing machines typically have a higher percentage of metal parts (vs. plastic) than their consumer cousins, plus they boast larger motors, can achieve higher speeds, and tend to be more maintenance free. Importantly, they can take on the heavy-duty repetitive tasks required of them while still producing nicely finished seams. As you might guess, there are industry- and task-specific industrial sewing machines. And some operations make use of a serger – this is a version of an industrial sewing machine that also cuts the fabric as it stitches.

Of course, every sewing machine needs a needle. For industrial purposes such as banner sewing, the needle must be strong enough to accommodate heavyweight threads and materials, as well as the aforementioned speeds and stress of repetition. Made from high-quality metals, these needles come in sizes ranging from approximately 0.35 to 2mm thick, with most being in the 0.50 to 1mm range. Just like with sewing machines, there are needles designed for specific applications and industries – such as book bindings, car seats and airbags, and shoe manufacturing (think about how sturdy a needle must be in order to process a shoe sole!).

Last, but certainly not least, there’s the seam thread itself. It’s important that the thread not only be strong but will also hold up to whatever might be thrown its way. Without getting too deep into “thread tech” here, threads can be made from either natural fibers or synthetic fibers (or a combination of these); they are then spun into the final product using a variety of construction methods.

For example, a twisted multifilament polyester thread – which is what we utilize here at Signs.com – is made by twisting together continuous filaments of polyester into a bundle. The filaments are then layered together to make the thread, which is colored, stretched, heat-set, and given a bonded finish. Our multifilament polyester thread is heavy-duty (tex 90) and is both UV- and abrasion-resistant; it’s been designed for long-term use.

Signs.com offers a high-quality sewn edge (with white threads) on both our fabric banners and our mesh banners; there is no charge for this service.

Welded Edge for Vinyl Banners

Heat welding an edge provides you with the strongest option for vinyl banners, which are typically used for exterior applications (but can be used indoors, too). A welded edge not only prevents any fraying, but it also ensures that the banner maintains its shape and helps prevent any stretching that might occur.

Of course, many people hear “weld” and can’t help but think of metal arc welding – complete with an acetylene cutting torch and full helmet. Or maybe you’ve simply seen the opening scene from Flashdance one too many times.

But welding vinyl banner material is quite different. For vinyl (or other plastics), welding options can range from hot air welding and impulse welding to radio frequency (RF) sealing and more. Generally, the technology being utilized has to do with which weld type is necessary for a particular combination of materials and applications.

We use hot wedge welding for our banner seams/edging at Signs.com. Basically, the process breaks down like so: Using a hot wedge welder machine, we position the heated wedge (with a temperature ranging from 700F to 920F) at the weld point to provide the heat, softening the material. The vinyl is then pulled across the heated wedge and pressure is applied. This combination of very precise heat, speed, and pressure joins the vinyl (or other material) to produce a weld that’s extremely strong, consistent, and, importantly, ensures that the banner doesn’t fray or tear if demanding conditions should arise. The result: a smooth, finished edge that nicely complements your vinyl banner.

At Signs.com, our welded edges are free; there’s no additional cost to edge your banner. However, while we do offer a welded edge for our 13-oz. vinyl banners, we don’t offer this option on our 18-oz. vinyl banners – the resulting thickness of the vinyl material would produce a very thick edge, and would lessen the banner’s overall visual appeal. So, for our 18-oz. vinyl banners, we offer a flush cut (see below).

Flush Cut and Other Options

You can also choose to not have any hem or edge finish on a banner – this is referred to as a “flush cut.” Here, the banner is cut to the same size as the design.

Flush-cut banners typically work fine if you’re not going to hang or otherwise suspend your banner. In this case, because there won’t be all that much stress on the edges, it’s unlikely the banner would experience any edge fraying. So, if your intention is to simply lay your banner flat on a table or other surface, or perhaps if the banner is to be inserted into a frame, stand, or system, then a flush-cut banner can work quite nicely.

Also, if it’s a heavyweight 18-oz. banner you’re producing, you don’t really need an edge finish or hem. In fact, as we noted above, flush-cut is the only available option for an 18-oz. banner here at Signs.com, whether the banner is single-sided or double-sided. Why? Because the vinyl’s thickness would result in an overly thick edge if a hem was added, weakening your banner’s overall aesthetic; plus, it’s important to note, the 18-oz. material is unlikely to fray when flush cut. You can, of course, add grommets and/or pole pockets to our 18-oz. banners (as well as to our 13-oz. banners). As with a welded hem, producing a flush cut on your banner is free of charge here at Signs.com, and can be changed as needed on our design tool during the design process.

We sometimes get asked about other options when it comes to adding an edge finish to a banner – alternatives such as tapes, glues, and chemicals.

Industrial-strength tapes are available and some of these tapes, when used correctly, can approximate a weld. But be wary of tapes that are intended for short-use or non-industrial applications – these can peel under harsh conditions, limiting the adhesion. So, depending upon the type of tape used, it’s unlikely to hold up quite as long as a weld.

The same goes for glues and chemicals: Industrial-strength varieties can essentially mimic a weld, enabling the faces of the vinyl to fuse together. But they can also be messy when applied, which isn’t great for the banner’s appearance. In addition, the glues or chemicals must be designed for PVC vinyl; otherwise, you won’t get a good bond to the surface and the adhesion will be lost over time.

In our opinion, a well-sewn, stitched edge or a professional welded edge will provide a banner with superior overall performance.

Fence Banners, Grommets, and Pole Pockets

Now, a few words are probably in order here regarding fence banners, grommets, and pole pockets.

Fence banners: Our custom fence banners (aka fence wraps, screens, or coverings) are available in either 9-oz. vinyl mesh or 13-oz. solid vinyl versions. Most commonly placed on chain-linked fences, they can also be applied to any other type of fence or wall, and they’re primarily used for outdoor applications such as construction sites, schools, sporting sites and events, and concerts.

Just as with standard banners, the high-quality finished edges on our custom fence banners are produced by either sewing (mesh) or welding (solid vinyl). However, you also can add an optional reinforced edge on our custom fence banners – we sew an additional layer of nylon webbing material along the banner’s outer edges, which adds considerable strength to the banner edge and helps protect the banner from tearing in windy conditions or other severe weather. The webbing is folded into the hem, so from both the sides and front the result is a very clean finished product This option is available on both mesh and 13-oz. vinyl banners.

Grommets: Inserted into the material of the banner, grommets are 3/8-inch metal rings that are brass in color and enable you to use ropes, clips, or zip ties to hang your banner, attach it to a fence, etc. Our automatic grommet machine can cut a hole in just about any material (even aluminum sign board and Kevlar!), and we use it to make grommets available on our fabric banners, mesh banners, and vinyl banners (13-oz. as well as 18-oz.). For our fence banners, it’s important to point out, we use a larger and heavier-duty grommet especially designed to go through the extra-strength webbing (our standard grommets won’t handle the extra thickness that this webbing adds to the banner).

For all of our banners, we can add grommets every 12-18 inches, every 18-24 inches, every 2-3 feet, or in the banner’s four corners. Keep in mind that if you choose to have grommets inserted into your banner, you cannot also add pole pockets (see below). Grommets are free on fabric, mesh, and vinyl banners at Signs.com. Looking for more information about grommets? Check out our in-depth Signage 101 blog, Grommets and Your Sign.

Pole pockets: As the term indicates, sewn pole pockets allow you to insert poles into your banner to display it – enabling you to take your message mobile. Made of the same material as the banner, the 3-inch pole pockets are sewn using industrial-strength thread (see above) and can be added to the top and bottom of the banner.

We offer optional pole pockets on both our 13-oz. and 18-oz. banners. Compatible with single-sided as well as double-sided banners, pole pockets will leave a flush-cut edge. And as noted earlier, if you choose to have pole pockets, we cannot also add grommets to the same banner.

Basking in Banners

One of the most versatile sign types, banners can be utilized in countless ways – to advertise your business, announce a grand opening, promote a new product at a trade show, celebrate a holiday, direct people to the farmers market, trumpet the arrival of a newborn, proclaim your support for first responders, and much more.

For whatever purpose you’re producing your custom banner, rest assured that here at Signs.com we can answer any questions you have regarding your edge finish. Plus, we can help you out with any other signage concerns or challenges you might be facing.

Related Articles

Standard Vinyl Banner Sizes – Signage 101

Common Uses For Retractable Banners

A Guide To Outdoor Banners – Signage 101

Give Your Banners an Edge: Signage 101

While you’re exploring banners, check out our blog posts on how to hang your banner or the different banner finishing options available.

Vinyl Banners

Vinyl banners are the most durable and commonly used banners for outdoor display. You can choose between the standard 13 oz. or the thicker 18 oz. vinyl to print on, depending on your intended use. Typically, the heavier the material, the greater the durability.

The 13 oz. vinyl is your best bet for everyday display. This banner is impressively durable and versatile, and it is the same material used for billboards. On the other hand, 18 oz. vinyl is meant for heavy-duty display like at construction sites. Regardless of weight, vinyl banners offer exceptional image quality and display versatility.

Vinyl comes with a semi-gloss appearance, which can be noticeable when light shines on it. Avoid placing banners in direct light to reduce visible glare; the less glare there is, the better readability your vinyl banner will have.

Since vinyl banners are heavier than fabric or mesh, place grommets around the edges of your banner in addition to the four corners to ensure it is pulled taut when displayed. Another way to display a vinyl banner is by using pole pockets, which help you suspend the banner from a pole or from rope.

Fabric Banners

Fabric banners are designed for both function and aesthetics by presenting beautifully printed images on a high-quality canvas. Their lightweight polyester material allows them to be easily transported and displayed, making decorating for events a breeze.

Fabric banners are slightly transparent, which means displaying them in front of windows or light sources will allow light to illuminate through the material. They’re also meant for indoor use, though displaying outside is possible as long as you avoid doing so in heavy rain or wind. Fabric banners are typically displayed by hanging them from a ceiling or awning; you can use grommets or pole pockets to hang your banner.

Mesh Banners

Functionality is the name of the game for mesh banners, and they perform especially well when used outdoors as they boast wind resistance and a semi-transparent effect.

Mesh allows wind and light to pass through without compromising the quality of the printed design. It’s important to note that the colors and graphics on these banners are often described as “lighter” or “muted” compared to their vinyl and fabric counterparts. Mesh banners are also best viewed from a distance, an important consideration when creating your artwork.

The 8 oz. PVC mesh offers exceptional tensile strength while preserving its lightweight form. The mesh pattern on these banners has a ratio of 70:30, meaning that 70% of the banner is actual material, whereas 30% is made of tiny holes. Mesh banners also come with hemmed edges to ensure the material does not tear when pulled taut during display.

Mesh banners work great on chain-link fences; they help emphasize the semi-transparent nature of the mesh pattern and allows you to display a design without completely blocking out the surface and the background. To install your mesh banner on a chain-link fence, use grommets, short ropes, or zip ties, as they make it easy to attach your banner to the fence at multiple points.

What is the Best Material for Outdoor Banners?

Vinyl banners are perfect for outdoor banners and signage. They are versatile, weather-proof, and UV-resistant, which means they last longer outdoors without fading or getting ripped or torn. You can hang them anywhere, making them the best option for outdoor signage. But if you’re installing banners in windy locations or for the purpose of maintaining privacy, use mesh banners.

What is the Best Material for Indoor Banners?

Fabric banners are designed for indoor display. We can’t praise enough the impressive color and details of printed designs on fabric banners. Pictures don’t do them justice but here’s a few examples of fabric banners in their natural habitat to show you how brilliant they are.

Which Banner Material Should I Choose?

We put together a simple chart below to get a quick comparison of each of our banners and a summary of the information we have discussed.

A Custom Choice

Regardless of your banner choice, all banner types are customizable; your design will be printed to impress! Need help making that eye-catching design? Our free design services can help you realize your vision! If you still need some assistance in choosing the right banner for your needs, give us a call at 888-222-4929.

Related Articles

Why Vinyl Banners Are Reliable Everyday Displays.

Designing a Step and Repeat Banner: Signage 101.

How To Remove Wrinkles From Vinyl Banners – Signage 101.

Signage 101 – Banner Material Comparison

How Is Denier Measured? And What Is It Measuring?

Simply put, the denier count for a piece of fabric equates to how much an individual thread from that fabric would weigh in grams if that thread were to be 9,000 meters long.

Before we get ahead of ourselves, it’s important to note that manufacturers present denier count in one of two ways:

The most common format you’ll see denier represented is as a whole number preceding the lowercase letter “d”. For example, if you are looking at a material that is 300 denier, it would be listed as 300d.

Another way a manufacturer might present denier is two separate whole numbers, which represent the thickness of threads going in the machine direction (known as “warp”), by the thickness of the threads going in its cross direction (or the “fill”), respectively. For example, a 600d material would be listed as 600×600 denier. So to be clear, a material that is listed as 50×50 denier is the same as 50d, since all of the threads (both the warp and the fill) are the same thickness.

To better understand how the measurement for denier works you can refer to this equation:

1 denier (d) = 1 gram in weight for every 9,000 meters of thread length

To help put it in perspective, take a look at each thread in the image below. Notice how each thread has the same length yet differs in thickness. The thicker threads will weigh more than the thinner threads, as they consist of more material. Thus, threads that weigh more have a higher denier count than those that weigh less. Threads such as the ones shown below are then woven together with other threads of the same thickness to create materials such as fabric banners, shirts, tents, flags, & more.

So what does that all mean for the material you are looking at? Let’s use a standard t-shirt as an example. The t-shirt is made up of many threads woven together. If the t-shirt was 30d (30 denier) than that means each thread used to create that t-shirt would weigh 30 grams if that thread were to be 9,000 meters in length.

High vs. Low Denier Count. Which Is Better?

So you’re looking to get some signage and want to know which denier count to go with. Is it better to have something with a low denier count or a high one? Well, it depends.

Generally speaking, the higher the denier count, the more durable the material will be. This is due to the thicker threads used to make up the material. So, if you’re looking for something that is durable and can withstand outdoor wear and tear, you want to go with the highest denier material possible.

This is why you will see outdoor materials such as flags, pop up tents, and banners with denier counts ranging anywhere from 150-1,000d. Once denier counts start getting into the hundreds, you start seeing materials that are extremely durable, tear-resistant and abrasion-proof. It is also important to note that tensile strength (resistance to the material breaking under tension) increases with the denier count. Banners, for example, are designed to withstand tension up to 154×17 lbs/inch, which is more than enough tensile strength when hanging the banner with four corner grommets.

If you are more concerned with low weight and smoothness, you will want to go with a material that has a lower denier count. The lower the denier count, the less the material is going to weigh as a whole and the finer that material will be. Benefits of having thinner material usually include a reduction in cost as well as ease of storage and transportation (due to the low weight of the material). This will, however, lead to the material becoming more prone to tearing.

It is also important to note the amount of light certain materials will allow to pass through based on their denier count. The higher the count, the less light that will be able to pass through. If you were to hold a piece of silk up against the sun, you would easily be able to see through it. However, if you were to do the same with a vinyl banner, it would block out all light, making it so you could not see through at all. This is important to consider with something like a pop up tent, where you will be mainly using it outdoors and will not want to have a lot of sunlight passing through the material.

What Are Some Common/Standard Denier Counts?

The denier count for fabrics, banners, and other materials can vary anywhere from less than 1 to 1,000+. Generally speaking, the thicker the fabric, the higher the denier count. Here’s a comparison chart to give you an idea of some common denier counts for materials you may be familiar with:

With so many different types of materials and applications relying on denier count as a measure of thickness and durability, it’s important to consider a material similar to the one you’re using when determining what count is best for you.  Generally speaking, microfiber materials like silk makeup anything that is 1d or less. Light fabrics such as down jackets and thin tents will be around 10-20d. General outerwear, such as t-shirts, sweatshirts, & khakis will range from 40-80d. Heavy-duty fabrics, such as flags, pop up tent canopies, backpacks, vinyl banners & more can range anywhere from 100-1,000d.

All of our signs are crafted for impressive durability; if you’re looking for a banner and are having trouble choosing one that would fit your needs, check out our vinyl banners, mesh banners, or fabric banners to learn more.  

Have any other questions about signs? Give us a call at 888-222-4929 or shoot us an email at support@signs.com

Signage 101 – What Is Denier?

The main idea behind temporary signage is it’s both flexible and functional.

Rather than hassle with nails and screws that leave permanent, unsightly holes, temporary signs typically offer all-in-one or other simple display options, making installation and removal quick and clean. And as these materials tend to be lightweight and durable, their portability makes them easy to transport quickly and to install without the need for specialized hardware or additional manpower.

In addition to their easy set up, temporary signs are typically manufactured out of low cost, recyclable materials, making them more cost-effective for virtually any budget. That lower price point means you can buy signs in bulk, maximizing your ability to reach more potential customers, or to notify your regulars of short-term changes.

Then when you’re done, temporary signs offer the convenience of no-hassle disposal in a way that leaves no mess and that’s friendly toward the environment.

The ability to easily swap out and update creative assets on the fly makes temporary signs the ideal solution for displaying any short-term message!

What are Temporary Signs used for?

Temporary signs are used everywhere. They’re perfect for promoting limited sales events, providing directional signage at construction sites, and even in advertising a realtor’s open house. In this article, we’ll cover the main advantages of temporary signage and how it’s used in various industries, from businesses and nonprofits to consumers, alike. So whether you’re promoting your local food drive, planning a yard sale, or ramping up awareness for your local 5K, here are the 7 types of temporary signs you’ll want to consider:

Posters

A common form of advertising, posters are incredibly easy to display (even in mass quantities). Hang posters anywhere: inside in hallways and on doors, and outside on fences. You can even hold posters at sporting events or other outdoor events, as opposed to hanging them up. The caveat is that they aren’t waterproof. So make sure to only use them in suitable conditions if you’re going to use them outdoors! Use them in dry areas with low wind. They are lightweight so they can be hung up with sticky-tack or tape.

Benefits of Posters

• • Large quantity orders / Budget friendly

• • Ideal for indoor use

• • Quickly post on bulletin boards, walls, sign and light posts

• More cost friendly than other sign types such as banners

Where They Fall Short:

• • Damage easily in tough weather conditions
    • • Rain/moisture
    • Wind

• Not rigid

Posters

Opaque Window Cling / Clear Window Cling

Clings are great for decorating windows for seasonal events or limited-time promotions; displaying store hours, social media links, or even online review ratings. They’ll even work great for stores or locations during renovation or construction. There really isn’t much hassle to them: just peel off the protective backing and slap them on a window and voila! – you have yourself quick and easy advertising or decor.

Unlike traditional window decals, window clings do not use an adhesive backing to stick to the surface. Nonetheless, they are a durable short-term option that are removable and repositionable for reuse, whereas traditional window decals are semi-permanent in nature—you can remove them, but you can’t reuse them. Use static clings on various surfaces such as windows, glass, non-porous metal, and other smooth surfaces.

Benefits of Static Cling Decals

• • Advertise directly on windows, doors and other smooth surfaces

• • Removable and reusable

• • Easy to remove/install

• No adhesives/residue

Where They Fall Short:

• • Not as permanent as decals/stickers

• • Can’t be applied to fabrics or other porous surfaces

• Not as vibrant as other options

Opaque Window Clings

Clear Window Clings

Floor Decals

Not only are floor decals great for catching attention (think “Watch your step”) but they are great for temporary indoor use. Floor decals (also known as floor stickers) perform well as more permanent signage options, with some lasting as long as 3 years, but we recommend replacing them yearly for best results. Like with most temporary signage, there really isn’t a limit to what can be displayed. They can be placed on cement, tile, brick, and even carpet.

Floor decals are great for directing your customers or event attendees toward points of interest. They’re perfect for increasing brand awareness and messaging exposure even in heavily trafficked, indoor areas. Finally, once you’re done displaying it, just peel it away from the floor and quickly clean any adhesive that may remain.

Benefits of Floor Decals

• • Easily noticeable, eye-catching

• • Temporary or long-term use

• Can withstand heavy foot traffic
• Can be placed on both hard surfaces and softer ones like carpet

Where They Fall Short:

• • Receive a lot of wear and tear

• Only advertised on floor

Floor Decals

Foam Board

Extremely lightweight and easy to hang or prop, foam board can quickly be displayed in your store with no more than a few strips of tape or some plastic hooks. Foam board is great for a number of uses. Use them in a business setting to present a chart/graph, at a fair to advertise directions and/or rides, or at conferences to advertise keynote speakers.

Foam board is comprised of biodegradable foam and paper, making it a great option for projects ranging from one-time use with easy disposal to more permanent indoor applications lasting up to 2 years with proper care and maintenance. It’s not recommended you display foam board in wet conditions, but in the right conditions (no precipitation and no wind) you can even get away with using these signs outside for short stints of time.

Benefits of Foam Board

• • Lightweight

• • Cut-to-shape designs

• Rigid

Where They Fall Short:

• • Stiff–can’t bend or fold

• Not suitable for wet/windy conditions

Foam Board

Banners

One of the best-known temporary signage options, banners offer great functionality with a range of display possibilities. They come in a variety of formats, including vinyl, fabric, and mesh.

Vinyl banners offer a durable, heavy-duty display for outdoor use, while fabric and mesh are the lighter weight options, the latter enabling wind to pass through. Banners are excellent for promoting grand openings, holiday sales, birthday parties, baby showers, graduations, and so on. In addition to these, they are also perfect for seasonal hiring, construction sites, road work and temporary parking arrangements. You name it, banners can do it.

While we’re including banners in our temporary signage roundup, banners are very durable, often lasting years in extreme weather conditions. So they’re perfect for recurring events: ‘Now Hiring’ banners can be stored/used depending on when you’re hiring, ‘Happy Birthday’ banners can be used for multiple birthdays, and you can use them to advertise different recurring sales if you’re a business owner. Plus, banners don’t require any heavy duty hardware to display; simply tie them down using rope, zip-ties, or hang them from a pole with pole pockets.

Benefits of Banners

• • Extreme durability and water resistance

• • Large format signage

• • Easily rolled up for storage and reuse

• Vinyl, mesh, and fabric options

Where They Fall Short:

• • Not freestanding

• Must be hung using additional accessories

Vinyl Banners

Mesh Banners

Fabric Banners

A-Frames

A-frames, or sandwich board signs, are great for catching the attention of people walking by your restaurant or business and are very durable. Our premium A-Frame signs with a removable graphics give incredible versatility in what you display. Solve your temporary problem with an easy to set up solution. If something changes, store the current graphic, insert a different one and once again you’re effectively communicating or promoting the message needed.

The foldability and carrying handle lend to the ease of portability, allowing you to quickly set up and take down the sign when needed. So while this sign type is far from a one-time use product the versatility makes it a must for temporary display needs.

Benefits of A-Frames

• • Freestanding

• • Folds up, making it easy to store

• • Easy to move

• • Replaceable inserts

• Very durable

Where They Fall Short:

• • One size

• Bulky

A-Frame

Yard Signs

You’ve probably seen a yard sign. They’re very popular with politicians during elections, among other things. These signs are designed for temporary display. They are lightweight, easy to move, and even weather resistant! They can be displayed in places where the ground is soft enough for the wire stakes to go in. Of course, these signs are also reusable, so you don’t have to dispose of them after a single use.

Buy yard signs in bulk to accomplish massive marketing and display efforts, or purchase just a few to place in your neighborhood for a yard sale or other event.

Benefits of Yard Signs

• • Quick and easy display

• • Lightweight

• • Rigid

• • Water resistant

• Often bought in bulk for mass signage

Where They Fall Short:

• • Limited to yards or similar surfaces

• • Smaller format

• Typically can’t be displayed indoors

Yard signs

Temporary Situations

Recap: we’ve covered 7 different types of signage. This isn’t a comprehensive list, but it should give you an idea of where to start with your temporary signage needs. As you’ve seen, there’s no end to the versatility of temporary signs.  Don’t feel limited by our recommendations for what you can use—be creative with how you use temporary signs for functional or promotional needs. We’ve included customizable templates to help you with design ideas for each temporary need. We also offer free design services if you’re in need of extra assistance with a sign design.

Yard Sales and Garage Sales

Fairs and Community Events

Rodeos

Neighborhood BBQs

Company Sales & Events

Trade Shows & Conventions

Concerts

Parades

Sporting Events

Real Estate

Construction Zones

Local Elections

Always Available

No matter the need or situation you can rest assured there are plenty of options for your temporary signage needs! These simple, yet functional signs get the job done for the time needed without breaking the bank. So if you’re looking for a custom sign that can be displayed for the short term don’t hesitate to reach out to us today!

Signage 101 – Temporary Event Signs